'Zero room, zero tolerance' to 'HK independence': Top liaison official

Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, delivers a speech during a cocktail party to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong on Sept 29, 2017. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

"Hong Kong independence" has "zero room" in China and even elsewhere in the world, the central government’s new liaison chief in Hong Kong said on Friday.

All Chinese people including over 7 million Hong Kong people have ‘zero tolerance’ to the ‘Hong Kong independence’ notion

Wang Zhimin, director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR

Wang Zhimin, newly appointed director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was speaking at a National Day celebration reception held by the city’s media.

He said all Chinese people including Hong Kong residents had “zero tolerance” to advocacy of such ideas.

This is the first time that Wang has spoken to a social event in Hong Kong after assuming office.

Wang said separatism seriously violates the laws, since the very first article of the Basic Law stipulates that the Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. Violating the first article means violating all 160 articles, he said.

He also said independence is “impossible” as there is “zero room” for Hong Kong independence seekers on the country’s 9.6-million square-kilometers land and other places in the world.

“All Chinese people including over 7 million Hong Kong people have ‘zero tolerance’ to the ‘Hong Kong independence’ notion,” he said.

He vowed to fully implement the “one country, two systems” principles in Hong Kong, as President Xi Jinping stressed, “without them being twisted or distorted”.

Wang expressed his faith in the people of Hong Kong and confidence in the city’s bright future.

Wang Zhimin (2nd right), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR; Xie Feng (1st left), commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; and Carrie Lam (2nd left), Hong Kong Chief Executive, propose a toast during a cocktail party to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong on Sept 29, 2017. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

After some political turbulence over the past years, people today have a deeper and fuller understanding of “one country, two systems”, Wang noted. Hong Kong is embracing promising new changes under Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

“Loving the country as well as the Hong Kong SAR, pursuing harmony in democratic ways, caring for stability and for progress, will become the prime theme of the symphony titled ‘Hong Kong Development’,” Wang said.

He stressed that in future he would continue to communicate with people from all walks of life, which is one of the Liaison Office's job in Hong Kong.

Wang, occasionally sprinkling his speech with Cantonese, said Hong Kong is his second home. He recalled his coming to work here in 1992 and 2006 which enriched his personal affection for the SAR.

He succeeded Zhang Xiaoming, now director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Also at the event, CE Carrie Lam expressed her gratitude to the nation for its strong support.

She said the city would to continue to have unique advantages brought by the “one country, two systems”. It would also enjoy new economic opportunities and yield more benefits for residents.

Contact the writers at luisliu@chinadailyhk.com or yanzhang@chinadailyhk.com

Wang Zhimin (right), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, and Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive, make a toast during a cocktail reception to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong on Sept 29, 2017. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

A cocktail party is held in Hong Kong on Sept 29, 2017 to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

Follow Us

APP

Copyright 1995 - 2019. All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily. Without written authorization from China Daily, such content shall not be republished or used in any form.